Horse’s Mouth - Mustang and Ford News and Notes - October 2014

The Latest News in the Ford World

AmericanMuscle.com, known as a leader in the aftermarket for style and performance, has used technology to build these virtual machines that Mustang fans are sure to lust after. Best of all using aftermarket parts, recreating these awesome Mustangs can be as simple as replacing a set list of body pieces and various styling parts. AmericanMuscle chose three well-known Mustangs that would transfer well to the 2015 Mustang's body lines. In laying out the parts needed to blend the old with the new, you're given an idea of what you would have to do to have one of these ACicons in your driveway.

Underneath the louvers, custom hoods, uniquely designed headlights, and various performance upgrades, all three—Bullitt, Iacocca and Eleanor—are essentially the same; they're all production spec Mustangs. It's the variety of different parts that brings their entire look together to form a style recognizable by most Mustang aficionados. Cars like these would not be possible without the full backing of a strong community of enthusiasts who demand the parts needed to make a custom Mustang of their own. The 2015 Mustang will be no different. Mustang owners want parts available to make their own classics.

With that in mind, AmericanMuscle wants to know what parts package you want available for the 2015 Mustang. So, which of these classic designs best suits the 2015 Mustang's skin? Is it Steve McQueen's Bullitt, a true fastback Iacocca, or the always classy Eleanor? Check out Americanmuscle.com for more information on the 2015 and other exciting Mustang news and parts.

Bonneville Resurfaced

An estimated 2,000 tons of salt were successfully deposited on the mud surface at the end of the access road to the Bonneville Salt Flats. It was graded and then dried to a hard concretelike racing surface. Although modest in scope, the project demonstrates that it should be possible to deposit dry salt in targeted areas so as to help preserve our national treasure, the site where land speed records have been set over the past 100 years.

The project took place over several days in mid-June. It was organized by the Save the Salt Coalition in coordination with the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Shelton Construction deposited the salt over the mud, an area once covered by salt. The company has decades of experience working in and around Bonneville.

"The dry salt laydown project marks a milestone event as we celebrate a century of racing at the Bonneville Salt Flats," said Doug Evans, chairman of the Save the Salt Coalition. "There has been a significant loss of salt in the area since the 1940s. While millions of tons of salt brine have been pumped back in recent years, a supplemental dry salt program will focus on targeted areas such as the race tracks."

The Bonneville Salt Flats is a National Landmark and a geologic phenomenon of international significance. For motorsports enthusiasts worldwide, it is hallowed ground. From the first speed record attempts in 1914 to the present day, hundreds of records have been set and broken in a variety of automotive and motorcycle classes.

For more information about the coalition, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org or 202/783-6007, extension 30.

Ford Reveals New Focus ST

The 2015 Ford Focus ST made its global debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed in the United Kingdom on June 26th—which served as the ideal venue for showcasing the enhanced driving dynamics of Ford's global performance version of the new Focus.

Focus ST will benefit from technology and craftsmanship first revealed earlier this year for the new Ford Focus—the world's best-selling global nameplate. Ford introduced the first Focus ST in 2002; since then, more than 140,000 examples have been sold in more than 40 countries worldwide.

Ford Team RS, the award-winning European arm of Ford's Global Performance Vehicle group, made improving the entire driving experience the No. 1 objective for the new Focus ST.

The sports suspension features all-new front springs and sportier shock absorber tuning front and rear to deliver even sharper dynamic performance. The electric power-assisted steering has also been revised to provide the Focus ST driver with improved steering feel.

The new Focus ST features sportier and more aggressive styling than the previous generation, with a lower, wider stance, a new dynamically sculpted hood, slimmer headlamps, and rectangular foglamps.

The sports body kit also includes body-colored side skirts and diffuser elements on either side of the exhaust, and a rear roof spoiler optimized for aerodynamic performance. All new Focus ST models feature twin-hexagonal center tailpipes.

Ford has redesigned the Focus interior for a more intuitive layout, with a clearer visual connection between key components and significantly fewer buttons in the cabin.

The new Focus ST will be available in ST1, ST2, and ST3 trim levels. ST1 seats feature gray/charcoal/anthracite black fabric; ST2 adds partial leather with base and side bolsters available in four colors: Tangerine Scream, Performance Blue, Smoke Storm, or Race Red. ST3 seats have full charcoal black leather finish.